J¹ N l 4:1,2-. Apprehension.
m 4:-2. Apology.
O 4:3-5. Trouble. [Particular.]
P Q 4:6. Righteousness. [Particular.]
R n 4:7. General proposition.
o 4:8-11. Proof. "I have seen."
P Q 4:12-5:1. Righteousness. [General.]
R n 5:2. General proposition.
o 5:3-5. Proof. "I have seen."
O 5:6-26. Trouble. [General.]
N l 5:27-. Research.
m 5:-27. Recommendation.
1656 B.C.
Job 4)
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied and said,
2 "If we attempt (or try) a word with you, will you be grieved?
but who can withhold himself from speaking? (Words composing the mater of what is said. Eliphaz is saying, "Job the truth is going to hurt, but we are going to say it anyhow". The problem is Eliphaz and the others didn't know the truth.)
3 Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Your sayings have upheld him that was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees. (The righteous man, Job, had done much to help others find the Lord.)
5 But now it is come upon you, and you faint; it touches you, and you are troubled. (They thought hard times had now fallen on Job, and Job had folded. The problem is, Job hadn't folded. Job always trusted God. He never turned his back on God.)
6 Is not this your love, your confidence, your hope, and the uprightness of your ways?
7 Remember, I pray you, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? (Eliphaz is saying, "What have you done Job? We know you had to have done something wrong for God to be punishing you this way." Job was innocent. His friend is making accusations. This isn't much of a friend.)
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of GOD they perish, and by the spirit of his nostrils are they consumed. (In the eyes of Eliphaz, Job is guilty and worthy of conviction. Job hasn't done anything. God was very proud of Job at this time. Job hadn't folded. The advise from Job's friends continues for 38 Chapters. Then God asks Job why he is looking to his friends for counsel rather than turning to God. Job repented.)
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
Q p¹ 4:12-16. Vision. p² 4:17-5:1. Voice. [Angelic, v.18. Human, vv.19-21]
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received whispering thereof. (From Satan maybe?)
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made the multitude of my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit (i.e. a movement of air, caused by something unseen) passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before my eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
17 'Shall mortal man be more just than GOD? shall a strong man be more pure than his Maker?
18 Behold, He put no faith in His messengers (Ps. 104:4); and His angels He will charge with folly:
19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay (cp. 2 Cor. 5:1), whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed sooner than the moth?
20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Does not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.'